Question on 6th Hussars Canvas Flashes

[cymro]

I wonder if someone could straighten me out here. I'm just organizing my collection to put up as albums (I collect to the Italian campaign 1943-1945). In my collection are these two canvas flashes. The 6th Hussars were part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division until broken up in January 1943 and their personnel distributed to HQ elements of the division - so long before their overseas deployment in November the same year. My understanding is that these would have been worn in UK only - is that correct or am I wrong (very likely!)

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Jon

[Bill A]

Morning Jon
A bit of a complicated story. The 6th Hussars were the 5 CAD HQ Sqn, and unofficially continued as such after the 1943 reorganization of the amoured divisions in the Canadian army. They MAY have worn the 6 H CAD patch, as the printed patches were authorized in late 1942. There is no evidence of them in wear. The printed shoulder titles were authorized much later, and there is evidence of the 6th Hussars titles in wear by the HQ Sqn of 5 CAD. The story is the same for the 7th/11th Hussars, as they were the HQ Sqn for 5 Canadian Armoured Brigade.

[cymro]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Morning Jon
A bit of a complicated story. The 6th Hussars were the 5 CAD HQ Sqn, and unofficially continued as such after the 1943 reorganization of the armoured divisions in the Canadian army. They MAY have worn the 6 H CAD patch, as the printed patches were authorized in late 1942. There is no evidence of them in wear. The printed shoulder titles were authorized much later, and there is evidence of the 6th Hussars titles in wear by the HQ Sqn of 5 CAD. The story is the same for the 7th/11th Hussars, as they were the HQ Sqn for 5 Canadian Armoured Brigade.

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the informative reply - as always very helpful indeed. The subtext of my question, as you identify was whether there was any chance of the title or patch being worn in Italy after they took up HQ duties - and indeed the same for 7/11 Hussars for whom I have 7/11 5 CAD patch. If, as you say there may be pictoral evidence of the 6th Hussars title being worn, that would be great news, as patches which were worn in Italy is the basic criterion for my collection.

[Bill A]

It would be prudent to err on the side of caution and include them.

[cymro]

Thanks Bill - I shall. In the next day or so I'll be putting up some albums of my Canadians in Italy collection (you'll see some old friends there) and shall include them in that...